Parma Heights continuing $100,000 Cassidy Theatre building renovation

PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio - The renovation of Parma Heights' Cassidy Theatre building is halfway completed, with the city recently using a $50,000 state grant to upgrade lighting, the electrical system, floors and ceilings.

"This has been on the radar forever," Parma Heights Mayor Michael P. Byrne said. "It's just one of those things you try to prioritize, you try to find the money. We've concentrated on trying to upgrade and bring it back to where the community can use it for anything from small family affairs to organizational events down there."

While upstairs the Greenbrier Commons building, which was initially constructed roughly 45 years ago, boasts the Cassidy Theatre, downstairs there are two rooms with space for 150 guests available for rent to Parma Heights residents. Byrne said already the updated facility has been used for birthday parties, PTA events and art classes.

Up next is the building's exterior with the city recently awarded a $50,000 2017 Community County Department of Development Supplemental Grant. Work is expected to begin soon on stabilizing the damaged wood siding before installing commercial grade vinyl siding. The Mayor added the exterior upgrades also include work on the building's coping.

"Nothing has been done to the exterior since it was built in the early '70s," Byrne said. "Overall, it's $100,000 in grants that's not coming out of the general fund. From our capital improvement fund we did put a new $200,000 roof on probably seven years ago.

"I wanted to bring the building back. We don't have a rec center like Middleburg, Independence or Brecksville, so we do the best with what we can. The two nice rooms are perfect for the residents."